Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Egypt

Critical multidisciplinary research on entrepreneurship in Egypt

Entrepreneurship and innovation have emerged globally as significant drivers for inclusive economic growth, contributing to both job and wealth creation. Especially since Egypt’s 2011 revolution, the need has become pressing for novel models that capitalize on the country’s human resources. Half of the Egyptian population is less than 25 years old and almost one quarter is between 18 and 29 years old. More than any other time, an entrepreneurial spirit and innovative mindset need to be fostered and encouraged to best rebuild the country’s economy on solid and sustainable foundations.

This important book sheds new light on the promise of entrepreneurship and innovation in restructuring Egypt, and their potential for promoting economic development. It probes the relationship between innovation and economic growth, providing linkages between academic research and applied/industry needs. It also looks at how creativity and innovation can be embedded in the educational system, the challenges facing the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and considers ways to enhance social entrepreneurship.

Covering a lot of ground, the authors propose answers and solutions, as well as laying the groundwork for further research and deliberations—in this field in general and in Egypt, at this juncture of the country’s development, in particular.

Nagla Rizk is professor of economics and founding director of the Access to Knowledge for Development Center (A2K4D) at the School of Business of the American University in Cairo. She is also a faculty associate at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University and an affiliated fellow of the Information Society Project at Yale Law School.

Hassan Azzazy is distinguished university professor of chemistry at the American University in Cairo and the founder of the Novel Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research Group. He has worked with the European Training Foundation to promote the introduction of entrepreneurial learning in higher education in Egypt, and is the recipient of the Young Innovator Award from Burayda Colleges in Saudi Arabia and the Global Innovator Award from Texas Christian University.